Photo Credit: Patrick Patton
Please introduce yourself.
I never outgrew my goth stage and have a deep preoccupation with crime and especially murder. My favorite bedtime stories as a toddler were Alfred Noyes’ “The Highwayman,” which – SPOILER – ends in a murder suicide, and “The Little Match Girl.” I read a lot of Michael Crichton in elementary school and loved his movies, especially COMA (but later in life). I came to filmmaking after school, studying journalism in college and even interning for major press organizations in Russia and Belgium. The media industry was imploding, though, as I graduated, so I worked a lot of odd jobs before stumbling into screenwriting and eventually directing in my mid-20s. I like to tackle social issues with my projects but drench them in buckets of blood. I find it very therapeutic.
What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
Horror has always been a great way to blow off steam and deal with anger and trauma. I’ve worked through a lot of my personal issues in my scripts, like poverty and my bad health and even worse healthcare. Theaters remain unsafe for me in particular, but there is nothing more fun that jumping out of your seat in a crowded theater. I look forward to enjoying the collective experience again sometime in the future, but in the meantime, I’m working on my medical revenge feature HYSTERIA, which is Covid safe – even for me. Grateful for streaming!
[HYSTERIA Teaser: https://youtu.be/U9hYbcur15M]
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
Billy Wilder might seem like a strange reference for horror, but I think some of his films deal with the horrific, like THE APARTMENT. I appreciate his sense of humor and being one of the first, most legendary writer/directors in the business. Also, that camera work! Kathryn Bigelow’s NEAR DARK is a cherished favorite of mine. I’ve been a long-time noir junkie and loved PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN as a phenomenal neo-noir movie. I’ve taken a stab at the slasher genre twice, and MY BLOODY VALENTINE and SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE are two of the best entries. I also really enjoyed BAD HAIR on Hulu this year and AMULET. Also, Marjane Satrapi’s THE VOICES is not the most responsible portrayal of mental illness, but there is so much to enjoy in that wild movie.
Women in horror have made great strides, but it’s clear that a lot of work is still needed to make it a most inclusive genre. To you, what is the importance of a movement like Women in Horror Month?
I would argue that we should celebrate women, non-binary, and transwomen year round. We do at my house anyway! Haha. I love that people can discover new talent and challenge themselves to look beyond what the studios are willing to finance, distribute, and market during Women in Horror Month, and I hope that in a few years it will be a lot easier to name your favorite movies by women and more. I am working with writer/producer Kelly Krause to launch a genre-focused, inclusive production company called Disaster Capital. We are putting together our first slate of emerging writers and directors in horror, sci fi, and action, and I am so stoked to share them with the world.
What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a women as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
I would say that their observations are correct, but we are better together. I have forged so many great connections through women’s groups, from non-profits like Cinefemme and Alliance of Women Directors to Nyx Horror Collective. This industry is all about relationships, and I am working on building those to bring other women up with me. You don’t have to get along with everyone, but there is more room at the table than the powers that be have let on. We’ll get there.
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
I honestly hate that advice that if you can imagine yourself doing anything else then you should do that. I especially hate hearing it from relatively privileged people (often men). However, there is some wisdom to it. If you want a career in film and television, you need to be prepared for a slog even as a wealthy, white guy. The rest of us, well, we know we have to work so much harder, so be honest with yourself and gentle about your progress. If someone seems like a bad fit for you or your work, there are other options. Feel free to move on. Make solid friendships that keep you grounded and share information and introductions. It’s the easiest way for those of us who have struggled to move forward anyway. Good luck!
In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
I’m so grateful for some fantastic horror films by women in recent years, and I look forward to more coming down the pike. I selfishly hope I am one of those filmmakers with HYSTERIA and our Disaster Capital slate, but certainly both Nyx Horror Collective and Fatale Collective are working on some killer projects that should see the light of day in the not too distant future. Producer Tara Ansley is now co-owner of FANGORIA and what a turnaround that will be for women in horror. I’m excited to see Nia DaCosta’s CANDYMAN – maybe at a theater! I’m also looking forward to all of the women who I haven’t met yet and the work I haven’t seen. The numbers will only go up from here.
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
In 2017, I thought I was dying. Four years later, I have a myriad of autoimmune and endocrine issues that could have been avoided or at least treated sooner, but instead I was repeatedly dismissed and belittled by the medical profession and figuratively billed to death by insurance. I channeled my rage into the dark comedy/medical revenge HYSTERIA where a chronically ill and undiagnosed patient takes matters into her own hands, murders most of her doctors, and blows up an insurance company. Work on the feature script has been one of my biggest challenges, but, boy, did I save a lot of money on therapy! #MyIllnessIsNotHysteria: https://youtu.be/U9hYbcur15M
Pop them links to follow your work here:
http://www.jennapayne.com
www.disastercapitalproductions.com
Twitter: @jenna_payne
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4olpjlM7iyL1VbO6AZKCg
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/dirjennapayne
HYSTERIA Teaser: https://youtu.be/U9hYbcur15M